If you’re like us, there are days that you can’t help but bring stressors from work home with you. So how exactly do you decompress? Here are a few tips for winding down after a stressful day.
Meditate
If you have a hard time quieting your mind after work, meditation is a great way to unwind. Meditation can help control any of those ruminating thoughts that keep you from enjoying your evening, and keep you up at night. It can also promote a calmness to lull you to sleep faster than usual.
Don’t Rely on Screens
If you’re looking for a solid night’s rest, ditch your devices and read a book instead. Blue light is notoriously harmful to your eyes, but it’s particularly bad to rely on screens before you crawl into bed. Why? According to studies, blue light messes with your melatonin, which can impact your sleep-wake cycle. If you read a book before bed, you still get the entertainment you need to fall asleep without the adverse effects of blue light, and, you can be sure you aren’t working so you get that much needed break!
Enjoy a Cup of Tea
Sipping a cup of hot tea after work but before bed can be an effective option to help you wind down – but only if you select the right tea. Some teas have caffeine, which will do the opposite of the intended results. Teas with sugar or similar additives may keep you awake as well. Instead, opt for a caffeine-free tea like Sleepytime, which is blended with calming ingredients such as chamomile.
Watch the Sunset
Watching the sunset can bring a greater sense of appreciation for the world around you. As such, your mood can lighten, and your outlook can be more optimistic. For this reason, watching the sunset may help you reevaluate your stressors, eliminate any negativity, and focus on the positive things in life, which can help you sleep better.
Fit in a Light Stretch
If you spend the day sitting in front of a computer, your hips, neck, and shoulders are likely tighter than usual. And if you had a particularly stressful day, you’re likely holding onto that stress elsewhere, too. Building a light stretch into your pre-bed routine helps to release any tension so that you can crawl into bed in a state of relaxation.
How do you unwind after the end of a stressful day? Share your tips below!
Deep breaths and if very stressed I’ll drink a cocktail, sit and just try to chill out!